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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has approved a temporary window for importers to use expired NAFDAC licences for import documentation, providing short-term relief for businesses affected by recent changes in Nigeria’s trade processing systems.
In a circular issued on January 26, 2026, the CBN’s Trade and Exchange Department announced that authorised dealer banks can continue processing Form M applications using NAFDAC licences that expired on December 31, 2025.
The approval, effective immediately, will run for two months, ending on February 28, 2026.
What the Circular Says
Signed by Aliyu M. Ashiru, Director of the Trade and Exchange Department, the circular states:
“The Central Bank of Nigeria wishes to notify all Authorised Dealer Banks and the general public of a temporary dispensation offered by the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control permitting the continued use of NAFDAC licences that expired on 31st December, 2025, for the processing of Forms M. This temporary dispensation will end on February 28, 2026.”
The bank clarified that the move follows a temporary dispensation granted by NAFDAC and applies strictly to Form M processing during the two-month period.
Reason for the Approval
The temporary approval comes in response to operational challenges caused by the migration from the legacy Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System II (NICIS II) to the new B’Odogwu platform, which has prevented importers from validating or renewing NAFDAC licences since December 2025.
To ease these bottlenecks and prevent delays in import documentation, the CBN directed all authorised dealer banks to accept the affected licences within the approved window. The bank stressed that the measure is time-bound and will automatically lapse on February 28, 2026.
Link to Nigeria’s Trade Digitalisation
This temporary measure aligns with the Federal Government’s push to digitalise trade processes. In October 2025, the government formally launched the National Single Window and a new Trade Facilitation Portal, aimed at streamlining import and export procedures.
Championing the initiative, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, highlighted that the platform will:
- Reduce bureaucracy in trade documentation
- Improve transparency in import and export processes
- Boost Nigeria’s global trade competitiveness
The National Single Window is a centralised digital system where all stakeholders—including customs and regulatory agencies, importers, and exporters—can submit standardised trade documents. The government aims for the platform to become fully operational by March 2026.
